Block-signal apparatus.



010001320. 7 PATENTED 0011,1007.

- F. G.'WILLIAMS. 0

BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS. KPPLIOATION FILED JULY17, 1905.

a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

' wmvsse's ul Enron ATTORNEY.

No. 867,329. PATENTED 001". 1

F. c. WILLIAMS. BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLIUATION FILED JULY 17. 1905 wnwrgn mam/7w 4 TTORNEY.

No. 867,329. A A PA'IBNTED 001 .1,1901

.F. c. WILLIAMS. A A BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLIQATIdN FILED JULY 17. 1906.

s Sums-mum? 3.

WITNESSES.-

, cairn ears TENI Enron.

BLOCK-SIGNAL APPARATUS. V 1

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Oct. 1, 1907.

Application filed July 17,1905. Serial No. 270,134.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, FRAINK U. \VILLIAMS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Block-Signal Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, and complete disclosure. i I

The object of my invention is to provide means in connection with the operating mechanism of locomotive. electric car, or other similar vehicle, which will automatically bring the said vehicle to a stop at the proper -time, withoutattention from the engineer or motorman of said vehic le. i I

A further objectof my invention is also to provide a system of signals in connection with said stopping mechanism, which will indicate the presence of other trains or cars upon the track, either in advance or to the rear of a particular train or car.

A further object of my'invent-ion is to operate the signals from the vehicle itself. by means of contacts with which a part carried by the vehicle engages to complete the signal circuit. I

A further object of my invention is to arrange the apparatus and circuits so that a mininnun of electric force or energy is required to be available or to be used.

A further object of my invention is to provide a system for signaling and for-stopping trains without disturbing the road equipment now generally used in railroad systems.

A further object of my invention is to so locate the various parts of my apparatus that the same will not be interfered with by rain, sleet or snow.

Briefly, my invention comprises connecting with the throttle valve or air brake, or the controller of an electric car; means for automatically operating these parts. depending upon the condition of a circuit, part of which is located upon the vehicle, and part upon an external stationary line carried adjacent to the track, the completion of the circuit depending upon the position of certain switches, signals, or positions of other trains upon the same track. I V

For a full, clear and exact description of diticrent forms of my invention, referencemay be had tothe following specification, and to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of one form of niy improved stop device applied to a vehicle having an air brake or steam control valve located thereon; Fig. 2 is a plan view partly in section of the preferred form of my stop mechanism; Fig. 3 is an elevation of the same, the casing being shown in section on the line 33 Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is' a view of my improved stop device applied to an electric trolley car; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view of my, improvcd stopmechanism applied to a locomotive and usedin connection,-or in combination, with my improved system of electric automatic signals, applied to a railroad or electric road in which the trains travel in thesame direction on the same track; Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 5, but showing a system applicable to a single track road, or a road on which the cars travel in both directions; Fig. 7 shows the arrangement whereby my stopping mechanism is adapted to be thrown into operation by the opening or closing of a switch on the track. I I

Referring to the drawings, 1 refers to the axle of a truck of a. car which carries the operating mechanism for my improved stopping device. This consists primarily of a suitablemotor mechanism, in this instance indicated as a drum 2, having a weighted cord 3 woim d thereon. The drum 2 is carried on a shaft 4, one end of which is provided with a suitable crank or arm 5, which engages and operates an air or throttle valve (5.

The opposite end of the shaft carries a contact arm or trailer 7, which engages a segmental ring composed of two short segments 8 and two long segments 9, the said segments being thoroughly insulated from each other, and from the shaft 4 upon which said segmental ring is mounted. The shaft 4, is also connected through-suitable gears 10, 11, 12 and 13, to a shaft 14, provided with one or more pins or stops 15, which are adapted to revolve in the path of an armature 16, operated by an electro-magnet 17. The segments 8 are connected by suitable branch leads 18, and 19 to a point 20 thence by lead 2l to the electro-magnet l7, thence by lead 22 to point 23, to lead 24 connectechwith thev yielding contact 25 located upon the car in any suitable manner. The trailer 7 is connected through shaft 4 and lead 26 with car axle 1.

Placed at suit-able positions above the tracks are contact plates 27 connected by leads 28 with a switch 29, which when closed by the lifting of the signal 37 to the danger position, forms a circuit from the car axle, electro-magnet 17, yielding contact 25 and switch 29, lead 30, main battery 31 and earth lead 32 From the above it will be seen that when the yielding contact 25 engages a stationary plate-27, and the external circuit has been closed by signal 37 through the switch 29, a circuit will be closed through the electromagnet 17, and the armature 16 will be withdrawn from engagement with the lugs 15, permitting the shalt 4 to revolve under the influence of the weight on the-cord 3, "and in revolving to operate the valve 6 controlling the air supply for the brakes. Also carried by the car is a supplemental or local battery 33, one of the poles of which is connected by lead 34 with one or both of the larger segments 9 of the segment wheel, while the other pole is connected by lead 35' to point 23. (onnecting the shaft 4 and lead 21 is a shunt 36. Since the engagement between the yielding contact 25 and stationary plate 27 is but momentary the armature to would, un- I less suitable provisions were made [01' continuing to hold the same out of contact with the pins 15, immedimental battery and its connections.

or both, wliile the gear 52 mounted on shaft 44, carries a connected with the air brake valve 6 is also connected ately be released from said magnet, and would prevent a SllfllClGIlt rotation of the shaft 4 to effect the closure of the valve 6.- To permit the shaft 4 to revolve sufficiently to perform this function I have provided the supplemental battery 33 and its connections asabove set out, so that during the momentary Contact of the yielding contact 25 and stationary contact 27-, the trailer 7 will have moved from its position i n contact with this short segment 8 into contact with the larger segment 9, whereby the local circuit from the battery 33 will be closed from the battery 33, lead 34, segment 9, trailer 7, shaft 4, shunt 36, lead 21, electromagnet 17, lead 22 point 23 and lead 35 back to battery 33. v The armature 16 being thus held down out of contact with the pins 15, permits the shaft 4 to revolve, carrying with it the trailer 7, until the trailer has passed from the long-segment 9 to the next short segment 8.

The above arrangement provides a'means whereby the consumption of electrical energy from the main battery 31 is reduced to a minimum since no current is drawn from the said battery except during the momentary contact of the yielding contact 25 with the plate 27, and not then unless the signal 37 has been raised to the danger position through suitable connections 38.

In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown a preferred form in which I have dispensed entirely with the supple- In said figures, 39 indicates a suitable oasing in which are mounted shafts 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 which carry gears 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52. On the shaft 40 is a suitable coiled spring 53 for operating the said train of gears; on the shaft 41 is a drum adapted to be connected by suitable cords 54 with either throttle valve, the air brake valve suitable pin 55 for engagement with a pivoted hook or latch 56 secured. to the casing. This hook is adapted to be engaged by the armature 16 of releasing battery, and when the magnet is denergized, to prevent the rotation of the train of gears by its engagement with the pin 55. When, however, the magnet is energized the armature is drawn downwardly out of engagement with the hook or latch 56 the said latch falls away from the pin 55 and the train of gearing is permitted to revolve under the influence of the spring 53, and the cords 54 wrapped around the drums 54 will close the throttle valve and apply the air brakes to effect the stopping of the train.

In Fig. 4 I have shown my improved device as applied to a trolley car or electric locomotive receiving current from an outside line wire or feeder, the current for operating the stop mechanism being also supplied by the said outside line or feeder. The arrangement of this form of my invention is similar to that shown in Fig. 1, the exception being that the external circuit, which is controlled by the signal switch 29, takes its current from the trolley wire 57, the current passing from the trolley wire through switch 29 to the stationary contact 27;and thence to the stop mechanism carried by the car, which in this instance in addition to being to the main car-switch 85 in the power circuit, whereby the power current is automatically cutoff and the brakes a are applied when the stop mechanism is actuated, In

the form of invention shown in Figs. 1 and 4 thesignals 37 may be operated in any manner usual in the use of block signals.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown systems of signals which are especially adapted to operate and to be combined with my,iniproved stop mechanism. In Fig. 5 I have shown diagraimnatically a system of signals especially adapted for one track of a doubh track road, or a road in which trains travel in the same. direction on the same track. The signals in this system are so arranged that thctrain on entering a block sets a target or signal to a stop position to prcvent .the train behind from entering the block while the first train is'in that block; and when the first train passes out of that block, it resets the said signal to clearf or safety.

In Fig. 5, 58 represents a semaphore located in :1 block which has been just entered by a train :39, and 58 the signal located at the beginning of the next block ahead of the train. In this form of my drvicc I havelocated or placed the main battery upon the engine or train itself, and have dispensed with anybattery whatever on the external partof the circuit. For each block I have arranged thrcc plates 60, 61, and 62. The plate 60 is connected by load 63 with switch 64; the switch 64 being connected with and through the point 65 and lead 66, to earth. Thephttc 62 is connected by lead 67 with clectro-magnct 68. From magnet 68 a lead passes to point 69, and thence through point 65 and lead 66 to earth. The plate (El is connected by lead 70 to the resetting magnet of the block through which the train has just passed. In connection with the signal 58 the conncctimis and mechanisms are identical with those shown in connection with signal 58, the corresponding parts being indicated by the same numerals characterized by the sign-t). The lead from the plates 61 is connected back to the resetting magnet 71 from which magnet the wire extends to point 69, to point 65, and thence to earth. The armature of the magnet 68 is adapted to raise the target 72 to the danger position when the yielding contact 25 carried by the car engages the plate 62; and the armature 73 of the magnet 71 will permit the target 72 to drop to safety when the yielding contact plate 25 touches the plate 61. In this form of my device part of the circuit leading from the yielding contact 25 and carried by the train coinpriscs the contact 25, lead 74, to point 75, to battery 76, to the framework of the trucks 77, and thence to earth through the wheels. As the train passes each block the signal 72 of the block which is just being entered is raised to the danger position and the signal at the beginning of the block which has just been left is set to safety. Also carried by the train is a second contact plate 25, adapted to engage the contact plates 60, 60 ,-etc., connectedby lead 24 with the electro-magnet 17 thence bylead 21 to point 75, connected to battery 76, said plate Operating the stop mechanism shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When, therefore, the'target 72 is raised to the danger position, and the plate 60 is touched by yielding contact. 25, the following circuit will be established, earth wire 66 to point 65 to switch 64 through lead 63 to stop plate 60, through contact plate 25,-lead 24, elcctro-magnct l7, lcad 21 to point 75, to battery 76, to truck 77, to earth, and the train will be stopped.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a modification which is adapted for a use on a single track road, over which trains pass in both directions. In this form of my in advance of the train is raised to danger to pre- I vent a train coming in-the opposite direction from entering the block in which is the first mentioned train; (4) the signal at the beginning of the block just entered, (which signal had been set at danger when the train entered the block just passed,) is re-set to safety or clear. In addition to manipulating the signals as aforesaid, I have arranged S *ondary circuits, whereby, whena target is raised to its danger position and a train contacts with a stop plate, said secondary circuit will be closed through said connected stop plate and the train, and my improved stop mechanism, described in the preceding part of this specification, will be set into operation. To this end I have shown three signal stations, one at 158, one at 158, and one at 158. Each signal station is provided with two sets of setting and resetting magnets, the set on' .one side of each station being designated by a, and the set on the other side by I), each set being similar to the others and to the one shown by me in Fig. 5. Each target is provided with setting magnets 68, 68",. and resetting magnets 71, and 71'. Since the arrangement of parts and connections for each signal or blockstation are identical with those for the. adjoining station, I will refer to similar parts at the two adjoining stations by the same numeral, characterized, however, bya() ora() as may be needful.

Connected with each block or signal station are six contact plates, three for trains going in onedirection, and tln'ee for trains passing in the opposite direction,

those plates-for the trains going in the direction of the arrow A at station 158, being 60, 6'1, and 62 and for trains passing in the opposite direction 260, 261, and 262. For the sake of clearness, however, I will merely describe the, signals and connection for the plates 60, 61, and 62, it being sufficient to state that the signals are merely operated in the reverse direction by trains passing in the direction oppositeto that of the arrow, through the plates 266, 261, and 262.

61 indicates the resetting plat'e at the station 158,

connected by lead with the resetting magnets 71* of the signal station 158, through the point 81, lead- 70, the point 81, the lead 70, by the passage of a current through which, the target 72 is brought to the lowest orsafety position. The point 81 on the lead 70 is connected through a lead 79' and the resetting magnet 71 withthe earth. Thus by tho closureoi the circuit t g the plate 61, the targets 72" and 72 are dropped to safety position. 62 is a plate connected through point 80 by leads 67 to setting magnets 68 from which a lead runs to, the

.earth. From the-point 80 on the lead 67 thewiro 67 extends to point 90" and thence through load 67 to the setting magnet 68", of the next station in advanceand from said magnet a wire leads to earth, and a closure of block. r

In Fig. 7, I have shown a modification of my device the circuit by the train through plate 62, sets to dan ger targets 72 and 72".

GO'indicatcs a stop plate connected by leads 63 with the switch 64 opened or closed by the position of the 7 target 72".

Theopcration of my device is as follows i A train, carrying contact plates 25 and 25 upon reaching the station 158 passes under, and makes contact with, the

' plates 60, 61 and 62. If the signal 72 is raised to the danger position, the contact 25 establishes a circuit from the train through the contact plates 60 and switch 64 to earth E and sets in operation a stopping device similar to that shown by me in Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, and

. the train will bebrought to a stand-still. When the plate 25 contact with the plate 62, two circuits are established; one from plate 62, lead 67, and lead 67., through setting magnet 68 to earth, thus raising or setting to danger the signal 72 to prevent a train from behind from following too closely, and the second circuit through the said plate 62 is through lead 67 to point and lead 67" at station 158, by the action of which the target 72' is raised to the danger position and'a train on the same track approaching the first mentioned train is signaled and also brought to a stop by means of the closure of a stopping circuit through switch 64 -When the yielding plate 25 carried by the train ongages the plate 61, two other circuits are established, (first) through the loads 70, point 81, lead 79, to signal resetting magnet 71*,whe'rcby the signal 7.2, which has been raised to (Langcr position when the train contacted with plate 62 of station 185 is dropped to the safety position. The second circuit is established from plate 61, to lead 70, through point 81 to point 81, lead 70, magnet 71" to earth, and operates to reset the target 72" which had been set to the danger position when the train closed the circuit through the plate 62. 260, 261, and 262 are three similar contact plates arranged at each station for coiiper'a'tion with thetrain merely indicated in dotted lines.

By means of the above described arrangement, the circuits at threeadjoining stations are at all times under the control of and operated bya train passing in either direction and by the operation of which a second-train following a first train is ='wamed.of"the presence of the train ahead and if an attempt is'madc i to enter the same blockas the train ahead, my automatic stop'device is thrown into operation, the train is brought to a stop independent of the engineer. Moreover since the signal of the statio'n in advance of the train," and also the stop circuit continued by said. signal, is put into operation, by the first train, a third train, approaching the first train from the opposite direction is warned of the approach of the. first train and if the warning is not heeded. is automatically brought toa stop. it will also be seen. that the first trainis informed of the presence ol a train ahead of it, and it is brought to a stop if it approaches nearer than a in which a stop plate 60 is connected with a suitable switch'or circuit closer 82, operated by the position-oi the rail 83 of the switch 84. When the switch is closed as in the position shown, a train carrying my stop device and the contact plate to cooperate with the plate 60 is permitted to pass by said switch, but if the switch is open then the rail 83 closes the circuit closer 82 and the train will bebrought toa standstill. automatieally, before it reaches the said switch. I

As will be seen from the above description, my improved signaliand stop mechanism does not require a great deal of electrical power to operate it, since the current is required for an exceedingly short interval of time, or only so long as the contact carried by the train or car is in engagement with the stationary plate, and since the current only traverses a distance equal to but two blocks of the signal system. As has been shown, I prefer to locate my source oielectrical energy on the train itself, although, of course the employment of a battery or other source of electrical energy at suitable intervals along the line is contemplated as shown in Figs 1 and 4: By locating the stationary contacts above the tracks, there is no danger of the contacts becoming so covered with sleet or snow or becoming submerged in water, the result of which would be to render the system inoperative, and by locating the bat- Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is: I

1. Ina signaling system for cars, a signal station, magnets for throwing signals to a danger or safety position, stationary plates arranged along the track and electrically connected to the signal, a yielding contact carried by the trainedapted to engage said plates'as the car'passes by them, and an independent stop circuit adapted .to be closed by the signal when the signal is thrown to the danger position and a second yielding stop carried by the train for contacting withsaid stop plate whereby when the train passes said plates and the signal is set at danger, the train will be automatically stopped.

2. The combination in a railroad car, of an air brake or throttle lever, of a stop mechanism, an electric magnet for controlling said stop mechanism, means for actuating said stop mechanism when released by said electro-magnet, :1 yielding contact carried by-the car, and electrically connected with said yielding contact and said magnet, stationary contacts elevated above and placed at suitable intervals along the track and connected by an electrical conductor with a signal, a circuit closer closed by the setting of said signal, and a source of electrical energy carried by the car whereby when the signal is set to a danger position and the yielding and stationary contacts become disengaged. the stop mechanism will be permitted to continue to operate to close the throttle or apply the brakes to bring the cars to a stand-still.

Cl. An electrical signaling and stop system for trains, comprising an external partial circuit, asignnl and a contacting plate in said circuit, a second external partial cirgage said first mentioned plate, a stop mechanism and a second yielding contact carried by the car, a second partial circuit curried by the car and including said stop mechanism and said battery and said second yielding contact, said plates being situated at intervals upon the track and in position to be engaged by said yielding contacts.

4. An electrical signaling and stop system for trains, :1 signal, a magnet for throwing said signal, an elevated contact plate, a lead from said plate through said magnet to the earth, a magnet for re-setting said signal, a second elevated contact plate and a lead from said second plate through said re-setting magnet to the earth, a circuit breaker controlled by said signal, a third elevated contact plate, a lead from said third circuit plate through said circuit breaker to the earth, a car, :i bat-tcry carried by the car. a yielding contact carried by the car and adapted to collp erate with the said first and second plates, :1 lead from said yielding contact through the battery to the earth, a second yielding contact adapted to coiiperate with said third plate, an electric magnet stop mechanism, and a lead from said second yielding contact through said step mechanism and battery to the earth.

5. A block signal system having each station provided with an electro-magnet for throwing a signal to danger, the said magnet being located in a. circuit which is closed by :1 passing train, a second electro-magnet located in a circuit which is closed by a passing train when the signal is sefto danger, a motor located on the c:1r for shutting off the power and operating the air brake the said motor being set in operation by the last mentioned magnet, and u further circuit in which is included a magnet at the prc ceding station corresponding to the first mentioned magnet, the latter circuit being arranged to be closed by the passing of a train at the first mentioned station.

6. A block signal system having each station provided with an electro-magnet for throwing a signal to danger, the said magnet being located in a circuit which is cloiscd by a passing train, a second electro magnet located in a circuit which is closed by a passing train, only when said signal is set to danger, a motor located on the train for bringing the latter to a full stop, said motor being arranged to be set in operation by the last mentioned magnet, and a further circuit in which is included a corresponding magnet for throwing a signal at the preceding station, the latter circuit being arranged to be closed by the passing 0! a train atthe first mentioned stationyto reset the signal at the preceding station.

7. A block signal system having each station provided with an electromagnet for throwing a signal to danger, the said' magnet being located in a circuit which is closed by a passing train, a second electroqnngnct located in :1 circuit which is closed'by a passing train only when the signal is set to danger-and a motor set in operation by the last mentioned magnet, and located on said train for bringing the latter to a full stop when said last mentioned circuit is closed.

8. Mechanism for stopping rail-way cars comprising :1 controller located on the car-,n motor arranged to be thrown into and out of operation by an clectro-inagnet for actuating said controller, a contact located on the car, a stationary contact located above the track, an electric circult including said electro-magnet and both contacts, and a signal operating to close said circuit when set to danger position.

0. Mechanism for stopping rzill-way cars comprising a controller located on the cur, motor operated means for actuating said controller, an electro-magnet or throwing said means into and out of operation, a contact located on the car a statiopary contact located above the track, means for generating an electric current externally to the car, a circuit including the electroanagnet and both contacts, a

signal arranged to close said circuit when set to danger an electi'o-magnet for thiowing said mechanism into and not of operation, a contact located ,on the car, a stationary contact located above the track, means for generating position, means fQl" located upon the car, said means being so arranged that the current will pass through the electro-magnet after the first mentioned circuit has been 11. A block signal system having each station provided with an electro magnet for throwing the signal to danger, the said magnet being located in a. circuit which is closed by a passing train, closed by a passing train only when the signal is set to danger, a controller located noon the train and amotor foractuating said controller, the-said-motor, being thrown a second electro magnet which is. 

